AHMEDABAD: Fifteen workers from different villages of Navsari and Valsad district today returned home from Najaf in Iraq, where they were stranded after a terror group took control of several parts of the country.
The contingent of 15 Gujarati workers were part of 200 Indians, who landed at Delhi airport from Najaf early today.
Later, they were brought to Navsari from Mumbai by a special bus arranged by the state government.
"Our administration as well as local MLAs took all required steps to bring these men home safely. I have learned that all of them have reached Navsari safely," Gujarat Chief Minister Anandi Patel told reporters here.
According to Navsari MLA Piyush Desai, all workers arrived at Bilimora town of Navsari district through a special bus sent by state government.
"They landed at Delhi airport early today and with the help of our Central government and all of them came to Mumbai by another flight. To bring them home, our CM sent a special bus with two liason officers to Mumbai. At around 5.30 am today, they arrived at Bilimora town with all 15 workers," Desai said.
Among these 15 men, 13 belong to villages of Navsari while two are from Valsad district.
"They went to Iraq on a five-month contracts to work as electricians and fitters through a Mumbai-based firm.
However, they were not paid any salary since last two months and kept in pitiable condition. Luckily, they are now back with their families," Desai said.